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Lisa Ann Pierce, W A M M
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W A M M Co-Founder Receives Allies for Justice Award
Women Against Military Madness Co-Founder Polly Mann was honored with the Headwaters Fund’s 2003 Allies for Justice Award for a lifetime commitment to social justice. Our friends at Headwaters said it well: Polly “has motivated citizens to take up arms for peace in her nearly six decades of fighting for social justice. She is a quintessential icon of ‘one person can make a difference.’ She does this by inspiring others and collaborating to build coalitions for peace.”
W A M M Creates New Intercultural Programs
Women Against Military Madness has launched new programs to gather grassroots community members in reflection about the interconnections of poverty, racism, militarism, and war. In one program, W A M M joined with Speak Out Sisters to create spaces for intercultural dialogue between women. Another program — Intercultural Action for Peace — uses creative activities for the exploration of culture and social change. For more information, click on links.
Navy Pulls Out of Vieques
The U.S. military withdrew from the eastern end of the island of Vieques in Puerto Rico. Activists celebrated the victory after years of opposition to the use of the island for live bombing runs. After 60 years of military use, the eastern portion of Vieques is again under civilian jurisdiction. Unfortunately, the land has not been returned to the Puerto Rican people, but to the U.S. Department of the Interior, which has designated the land a wildlife refuge. After their stunning victory, activists are moving forward to demand “input regarding the transfer, decontamination, and restoration of all land, coastal areas, and other natural and cultural resources impacted on Vieques by military activities” (Environment News Service).
British Cabinet Member Resigns Over Iraq
Former International Development Secretary Clare Short not only resigned from the Cabinet, but also took the opportunity to denounce Prime Minister Tony Blair. Short explained to the Commons that she quit over British policy toward Iraq, saying, “I am ashamed of the position that we are taking . . . I am at the end of the line. I have tried and tried to be helpful and constructive, but I cannot defend this.”
Raise Ruckus on Poker Night
Feeling a little tired of news references to the Department of Defense’s playing cards that featured the “most wanted” Iraqis? Try these cards out for a little relief: Ruckus created a “War Profiteers” card deck that features oil, gas, and energy companies (spades); U.S. government officials (hearts); military and defense contractors (clubs); and heads of industry, finance, media, policy, and hype (diamonds). According to Ruckus, “The war profiteers card deck exposes some of the real war criminals in the United States’ endless war of terror. This is no Sunday bridge club. These are individuals and institutions that stack the deck against democracy in the rigged game of global power. Exposing their place in the house of cards illuminates the links among corporations, institutions, and government officials that profit from endless war.” For more information or your own deck of cards, go to www.warprofiteers.com or contact the Ruckus Society at 510-763-7078.
Billionaire Opposes Tax Cut
(Publicly)
In a Washington Post commentary, Warren Buffet, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway and one of America’s wealthiest individuals, opposed the Senate Republican plan to eliminate or reduce dividend taxes. Buffet used a comparison of his own tax burden to that of his receptionist’s to clarify the impact of the plan on the wealthiest Americans versus working-class Americans. In closing, he wrote, “Supporters of making dividends tax-free like to paint critics as promoters of class warfare. The fact is, however, that their proposal promotes class welfare. For my class.”
New Apollo Project Launched
A coalition has been launched to promote the conversion of the U.S. economy to renewable energy sources. According to the coalition Web site (www.apolloalliance.org), “Americans have always pulled together during times of war to accomplish great missions. We can do it again. This time in the name of energy independence. Americans have known for thirty years that our addiction to Mid-East oil puts us in danger. Yet since then our dependence on foreign oil has increased from 35 to 50 percent. Enough already. The time has come for action. The time has come for a new Apollo Project.” |
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© 2003 Women Against Military Madness. All rights reserved.
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Complete June 2003 Index - click here
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